Most programs are moving ahead as scheduled. One program itinerary has been changed.
Update: January 11, 2015
The GEC has continued to monitor the situation in France. Today’s largescale marches in Paris and other French cities have taken place peacefully and without incident. No changes to programs have been made since Friday, January 9, 2015.
The U.S. Department of State issued an updated Worldwide Caution late Friday. The caution does not recommend against travel abroad. This caution does not indicate the need for any additional precautions beyond current GEC practices.
Update: January 9, 2015
The Isabella Cannon Global Education Center has continued to monitor the ongoing and developing situation in France following the Jan. 7, 2015, shooting at a newspaper office in Paris and the shooting of a police officer in Paris the following day. Current information from reliable government and media sources indicate that the individuals responsible for these shootings have been killed by law enforcement. The police continue to search for one possible accomplice.
The French government terror threat level for the Paris region and other areas in the north remains elevated and the U.S. Embassy in Paris has issued an updated security message today.
While there is still no indication that U.S. citizens in France need to change their planned activities at this time, the GEC is adjusting the itinerary of one Winter Term Study Abroad course which was due to arrive in Paris on Sunday. The course’s arrival has been postponed by one day and adjustments have been made to the itinerary in Paris. This change was made out of an abundance of caution and to allow adequate time for logistical shifts while the full details of the situation in Paris become clear.
At this time, all other WT courses and Spring 2015 semester programs are moving ahead as scheduled. The GEC will continue to monitor developments throughout the weekend and will make additional adjustments to programs, should circumstances change.
Original Statement: January 7, 2015
The Isabella Cannon Global Education Center is closely monitoring the ongoing and developing situation in France following a Jan. 7, 2015, shooting at a newspaper office in Paris. At this point, there are no plans to alter any Winter Term or spring semester program itineraries.
There are no Elon student groups as of yet in Paris. The GEC has communicated with all Winter Term Study Abroad students who will be traveling to Paris later this month and has also been in communication with all Elon students who will be studying abroad in France for spring semester 2015. The GEC has also sent a message to the students’ families.
Shooters appear to have specifically targeted the news organization and there is no indication that tourists were intended victims. The French government has elevated its terror threat level for the Paris region and the U.S. Embassy in Paris has issued a security message. While the embassy message encourages U.S. citizens to “maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security,” it does not advise against travel to France or Paris.
There is no indication that U.S. citizens in France need to change their planned activities at this time.
The GEC enrolled all Winter Term Study Abroad students and faculty in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to departure. The GEC will continue to monitor all information from the Department of State, the Overseas Security Advisory Council, and other reputable sources on the safety and security of citizens of the United States.