College, once seen as a way to dodge the draft, is now being faced with a war threat that hits closer to home.

Thousands of miles from the potential front line, the possibility of a war with Iraq could directly affect Missouri Southern’s student study abroad programs.

Southern will be sending more than 200 students abroad this year through the Bilateral and International Student Exchange Programs and the Institute of International Studies.

There are four trips planned over spring break, two to Paris, one to Italy and Greece, and one to Vancouver. There are also four trips scheduled during the intersession period to Costa Rica, Russia, Italy and China. Also, another four summer trips are planned for Costa Rica, India, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Southern’s policy regarding international trips is specific in stating when it will and will not send students to study abroad in a hostile environment.

“When considering a study abroad program, the institution puts the safety of all involved first,” states the international trip policy passed by the College in 2001.

“Faculty group leaders and others traveling abroad should keep abreast of the Overseas Security Council for travel warnings, country crime reports, electronic updates on new or unusual situations overseas, and the locations and key contacts at U.S. embassies or consulates. Travel is not allowed to areas where a travel advisory is in effect.”

Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies and associate professor of communications, said a travel advisory is usually the only way a trip would be canceled.

“If there is not a travel advisory out, you have to assume that it’s fairly safe for U.S. citizens to go there,” he said.

The reality of any of the upcoming trips being canceled is unlikely.

At this time, no trips are scheduled for the Middle East region, but how close to the front line is too close?

“It depends upon how close the country is to the fighting,” Stebbins said.

“Obviously Costa Rica is going to be fine. Vancouver, no problem. But what about India? India is a little closer than these other countries. Paris would be safe, but it would be a lot closer to Iraq than we are here in the U.S.”

Stephanie Goad, international student adviser and exchange coordinator, deals with the ISEP applicants, but is not sure of its policy regarding traveling during a time of war.

“We act as the middle man in ISEP transfers, so once the student leaves, they are in ISEP’s hands,” Goad said.

ISEP’s Web site did not contain a policy regarding international travel during war, but advised students to monitor the U.S. Department of State Web site and keep in touch with embassies in case of major civil or international unrest.

Southern’s Bilateral exchange program offers more flexibility in this type of situation.

If for some reason a trip is declared unsafe, travel plans are simply rescheduled for another semester.

Several students are currently studying abroad through these programs in Spain, Japan and France.

Several more are applying to programs in Chile, Sweden, China and the United Kingdom for the fall 2003 semester.

Goad agreed with Stebbins that the locations of the trips would probably not pose a threat to any of the College’s programs.

“I definitely see the concern the students might have, especially if they’ve never traveled, but at this point, I don’t really see that it’s going to affect travel to those particular countries,” she said.