Graduate and Professional Students – or the faculty, staff, or program/department organizing travel that includes Graduate/Professional Students – who want to travel to any location on the Duke Restricted Regions List (RRL) must complete an Acknowledgement of Risks and Potential Harms, Agreement to Mitigate Risks, and Waiver and Release of Liability (“Acknowledgement of Risks Form”) prior to departure.
Important Information for Requesters
Per the Global Travel Policy:
- Non-Compliance: Graduate/Professional Students who do not complete the required form may be subject to serious consequences, including being required to return home at their own expense, denial of academic credit or recognition for work completed abroad, and possible Student Conduct proceedings.
- Register Your Travel: All Graduate/Professional Students traveling to RRL destinations must register their travel in the Duke University Travel Registry in order to be considered in full compliance with the Global Travel Policy, in addition to completing the Acknowledgement of Risks Form.
The Acknowledgement of Risks Form is specific to each student and their destination(s). It must be requested from the Office of Global Health and Safety (OGHS) at least 30 days before travel.
Once the request is received, the Office of Global Health and Safety will prepare and distribute the form through Kuali. Because the form is customized, it is not available online for independent download.
Programs, units, and schools providing Duke support (financial, academic credit, approval, or recognition) must confirm that Graduate/Professional Students have completed the Acknowledgement of Risks Form before offering Duke support.
Per the Global Travel Policy:
- If a group of Graduate/Professional Students shares the same RRL destination and itinerary, the Office of Global Health and Safety can work with a designated group representative to facilitate batch travel registration and distribution of Acknowledgement of Risks Forms.
Faculty and staff who sponsor or coordinate travel should remain up to date on restricted destinations. To stay updated, please subscribe to our Travel Policy Updates newsletter.
How to Request a Form
Request the Acknowledgement of Risks Form at least 30 days before travel by completing the online request form.
Who should I contact if I have questions about this process?
The Office of Global Health & Safety (OGHS) can help answer any questions you may have about the waiver form. If you wish to speak with someone in OGHS about your petition, schedule an appointment with OGHS staff.