The University of California Board of Regents has asked a special committee to examine the university's policies regarding the UC Education Abroad Program, particularly in countries where the U.S. State Department has issued travel advisories. UC Acting Provost Wyatt R. Hume provided a brief overview to the regents today (Wednesday) on the planned review.
 
Considerable interest has been expressed by the regents and others in reviewing the University of California's position, with particular regard to Israel.
 
At the moment, the Education Abroad Program (EAP) has suspended its programs in Israel and the Philippines. The current policy is based on the university?s high level of responsibility for its own programs, with an official study center, and faculty director and its ability to maintain programs in countries where the State Department has advised against travel by U.S. citizens.
 
Apart from the Education Abroad Program, University of California students have been free to study in Israel for many years, and continue to be able to do so and to receive UC academic credit.
 
In addition, each UC campus has procedures by which students can make arrangements to study in a program abroad and arrange for academic credit and a return to the campus after completion of the program.
 
The eight-member committee to conduct the EAP review will be regents Eddie Island and Norman J. Pattiz; student regent Adam Rosenthal; Tzivia Schwartz Getzug, senior vice president of the Greater Los Angeles Jewish Federation; John A. Marcum, associate provost of the Education Abroad Program; David M. Birnbaum of the UC general counsel's office; and Gretchen Kalonji, faculty associate director of the university's International Strategy Development; and Hume.
 
A report and recommendations are expected to be presented at the Board of Regents' meeting in May.
 
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