Purdue advises traveling students to stay alert, informed

"International Programs staff are staying in constant contact, via e-mail, with all students who are currently in a region that may be affected," said Nancy Bennett, assistant director of the Office of Study Abroad. "We have e-mailed a letter informing them of the situation and that they should be alert and prepare for inconveniences and delays if they will be flying, especially through London or Western Europe."

She said a copy of the message also is being e-mailed to the students' emergency contact, usually a parent.

The United States issued its highest terrorism alert for commercial flights from Britain and raised security for all air travel Thursday (Aug. 10) after a major terror plot was foiled in London and more than 20 people were arrested. After the news, hundreds of flights were canceled worldwide, including all flights to and from London's Heathrow Airport, and increased security measures produced long lines and delays at airport checkpoints.

Officials said that the suspects planned to use liquid substances to blow up airplanes bound for the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security announced that passengers on U.S. carriers will be banned from taking nearly all liquids and gels aboard flights in carry-on luggage.

Bennett said there are no students currently in London, but there are eight Purdue students in Europe and Africa that may be affected by the change in airline security regulations. These students will be returning to the United States within the week.

Among the returning students are two in Germany who are planning to return via London's Heathrow Airport, and one student in Kenya whose return flight will include a change in London.

Bennett said International Programs' records show nine Purdue students will be studying in the United Kingdom for the fall semester, but all of these students will not be starting at their host universities or programs until late September or early October, and, therefore, will probably not be traveling to London or other airports in England this week.

Riall Nolan, associate provost and dean of International Programs, said there are three points incoming or outgoing students should keep in mind if planning to fly through Western Europe in the near future.

"First, they should be aware that what they can take on a plane has changed and may continue to change," he said. "Second, they should remember to get to the airport a long time in advance of their flights, and they should periodically check in with their airlines to make sure nothing has changed. And third, they must keep in mind that even with confirmed reservations, their flight may be delayed or canceled.

"The best advice we can give is to stay informed, because this situation is evolving hour by hour."

Michael Brzezinski, director of International Students and Scholars, said that while the changes may affect many students from abroad who will be flying to the United States in the next week or so, including the approximately 150 who will be attending the Boiler Gold Rush freshman orientation Saturday (Aug. 12), the overall disruption should be minimal.

"A lot of our students are experienced international travelers, so they are used to disruption in travel and are prepared to deal with it," he said. "Freshman students are scheduled to arrive as early as this weekend, but we as a university are able to respond and adapt as the situation demands."

In the 2005-06 academic year, about 1,000 Purdue students were involved in study abroad programs in countries around the world, and more than 4,800 students from other nations were studying at Purdue. The university's total international student enrollment ranks second in the Big Ten and third in the nation.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Riall Nolan, (765) 494-9399, rwnolan@purdue.edu

Nancy J. Bennett, (765) 494-4994, njbennett@purdue.edu

Michael Brzezinski, (765) 494-5770, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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