Effective November 3, a new Travel Suspension Approver role will be added to the Workday Spend Authorization business process for international travel involving destinations subject to the university's travel suspension.
The university has established a formal exception review process that allows travel requests for faculty and staff to be evaluated based on trip-specific circumstances, risk factors, and available mitigation measures. The new Workday approval step will serve as the mechanism for reviewing these requests and determining whether an exception to the travel suspension may be granted. Student travel to the designated countries remains suspended.
When a Spend Authorization includes an expense line identifying a destination in a suspended country, the request will automatically route to the Travel Suspension Approver for review before continuing through the standard approval process. This additional review step supports compliance with the university's travel suspension requirements and ensures appropriate evaluation of travel requests to restricted destinations.
Travelers considering travel to a suspended destination should contact Global Health & Safety (GHS) as early as possible in the planning process. Early engagement helps ensure sufficient time for risk assessment, exception review, approvals, and travel planning activities.
For approved exceptions, the Travel Office will coordinate with the university's contracted travel agencies to facilitate booking through a full-service travel agent.
For additional information regarding suspended destinations, exception requests, or the university's travel suspension process, please contact GHS@osu.edu.