Senator Terri Bonoff and Police Work to Increase Campus Security

A recent Minnesota Daily article reported University of Minnesota students don’t feel safe due to the increasing number of violent crimes on campus. Senator Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, is working to keep these students safe.

Terri said while higher education institutions in metro areas have dealt with fluctuating crime trends for decades, the recent uptick is unique because of the criminals’ boldness, the article reported.

“University police have issued 14 crime alerts since the beginning of the semester for crimes, which include two sexual assaults, an attempted kidnapping and many armed robberies,” the article reported. Students at the university have been petitioning for more police to monitor campus to decrease crimes.

“We’re doing our best to be aware of our surroundings and to maintain our personal safety, but concern for our security on a daily basis has interrupted the flow of our normal lives,” one student said.

The article reported University police Chief Greg Hestness said he has met with city law enforcement officials to increase campus surveillance.

“Criminals seek out urban areas where there is a lot of foot traffic, places where they can get in and out quickly and where they have a lot of potential victims,” Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek said. “Urban college campuses fit with this model.”

University police Chief Greg Hestness said he has met with city law enforcement officials increase campus surveillance. Cameras will be installed at light-rail stops to increase security on Washington Avenue, the article reported.

Bonoff is planning to check back with the University next legislative session to make sure practices are on track. Senator Bonoff is also leading policy to make transparent reporting on health and safety during study abroad programs a reality.

Cal Poly Student, Matthew Yount, Dies in Swimming Accident While Studying Abroad with CEA Global Education in Spain

An article from The Tribune recently reported the tragedy of a 20-year-old student who died in a swimming accident while studying abroad in Seville, Spain.

Matthew Yount was a business student from Cal Poly who traveled to Spain as part of the CEA Global Education program. According to a Spanish newspaper, Yount and two friends dived into the river Guadalquivir for fun after a night of drinking. Yount’s friends said he never resurfaced after jumping into 45-degree water. Hours later, divers finally found Yount’s body.

The San Telmo bridge, built in 1931, is 26-feet high, according to a report in the New York Times.

Yount was on the golf team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and teammates who played in the Cal Poly Golf Fundraiser Tournament over the weekend wore light blue ribbons with the initials "M.Y." in honor of Yount.

The Cal Poly SLO Men and Women’s Golf Team posted the following note on their Facebook page after Yount’s death: “Our Cal Poly Golf Family is truly saddened because yesterday we lost one of our own, Matt Yount. Matt has definitely made a positive impact on all of his teammates and friends. That impact will last forever.”

Cal Poly President sent out a statement expressing his sympathies to Yount’s family, the article reported.

ClearCause Launches New ASAPP S.O.S. App To Keep Students Safe Abroad!

 ClearCause has announced a partnership with React Mobile to launch a mobile safety application called ASAPP S.O.S. (A Student Abroad Preparedness Plan: Save Our Students)! The revolutionary app provides students traveling in more than 18 countries with the ability to notify emergency contacts, services or help with only one touch.

ClearCause and React Mobile share the goal of keeping American students safe as they study abroad. ClearCause founder Sheryl Hill’s son, Tyler Hill, died a preventable death while he was studying abroad with People to People Student Ambassadors when he was barely 16 years old. CEO Robb Monkman was a hostage victim on an off-campus incident during his college career. His passion for safety and security has resulted in React Mobile, a safety application on smart phones with the power of one-touch GPS location and emergency contact. 

The free ASAPP SOS app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play and enables youth and students to choose their destination country in its settings. The student is then given the option to notify local emergency services or authorities depending on the geographic locale after an SOS alert is triggered. (Example: in the United Kingdom, the app will prompt a user to dial 112 or 999 instead of 911).

The SOS app also has a “follow me” feature, available for a small optional monthly fee, which enables the student to self-select emergency contacts, which could be parents, program, insurance company, peers, etc. The follow-me feature tracks the GPS on students’ smart phones, in real time, whenever they want to make others aware of their location. This feature is perfect for students traveling in foreign countries to let their loved ones know where they are. One touch of the “I’m Safe” button will let concerned parents, for example, know the student is safe.

In an emergency, the student simply presses the SOS shield on the app to send a panic alert containing a link to their GPS location to select emergency contacts via text message and email. These can optionally be posted to Facebook and Twitter. Once the SOS is activated, the student is automatically prompted to call the authorities with the correct three-digit number.

“Most people do not know what number to call when a crisis strikes in a foreign country,” said Hill. “Our SOS app automatically prompts the user with the correct number, simultaneously alerting pre-defined contacts to let them know they need help.”

For additional information about the SOS app and other strategies for keeping students safe while traveling abroad, visit www.ClearCauseFoundation.org. Get the app at the Apple Store and Google Play!

Fear of Rape Keeps U.S. Students Out of India

Fear of being raped could be a factor in why American students are choosing not to study abroad in India, a recent Times of India article reported. "The concern for personal security and perceived increased danger to women as a result of the rape cases was perhaps a factor in US students' decision regarding study in India,” said Nancy Powell, the U.S. ambassador to India, in addressing students at Xavier Institute of Social Science (XISS) last week.

XISS students agreed with Powell and said they have faced sexual harassment on the streets. "Even we Indian girls face a lot of cat-calls and are subject to teasing outside the college campus almost everyday," said a student, who wished to remain anonymous.

Powell said last year a female American student from Chicago University posted an account on CNN iReport after studying abroad in India. The student’s report stated India was full of adventures and beauty, but while she was there she was groped, stalked and masturbated at.

 While she was speaking to XISS students, Powell kept her focus on education. "There is no sector that better illustrates the mutual benefit of our relationship than education, a priority sector for both the US and India. Education has become one of the main pillars in our bilateral strategic partnership," she said.

StaySafe in your college dorm - Safety Gadgets

Want to stay safe while studying abroad? We have found some great portable safety gadgets that will help ensure safety in your college dorm, wherever you go. StaySafe and keep your stuff!

The Tile app is an application you can download on your smart phone to help you find items you misplace. The app comes with a little “tile” that you can attach, stick on or drop into whatever you think you might misplace: your wallet, keys, guitars, laptops, or anything you can think of. When you misplace that item, the Tile app on your phone allows you to track distance to your missing item and shows you when you get closer. Tiles can also be activated to ring so you can find your missing item by sound. If an item of yours is stolen, you can log into your Tile account and report it.Anyone else with a Tile who gets in a certain range of your stolen item will have their phone automatically send you a message with the location of your stolen item. Amazing! Check it out here.

DormVault has created a laptop vault that easily attaches to dorm furniture to ensure safety. This handy vault protects your laptop from being stolen and stops anyone from stealing any personal information. This steel vault will hold up to a 17’ laptop and can also hold other small items. The vault measures 12.5 x 16.5 x 2.75 inches and comes with a year warranty. The lock is a hardy four-spindle combination lock. These laptop vaults can be found online at DormVault’s website.

DormCo features a Hidden Closest Dorm Safe that at first glance looks just like a normal t-shirt. This t-shirt safe features nine hidden inner pockets to hold small valuables such as cash, cameras, jewelry, checks, passports and more. The sides of the shirt zip up and down to hide the inner pockets when needed. Once it is hanging in your closet with your other clothes, no one would suspect one of your shirts to be your safe. The safe is made out of durable vinyl-like material and can be purchased here.

Want to carry pepper spray discreetly? DormCo also carries a pepper spray that looks just like a small lipstick tube. The container colors come in black, pink and purple to disguise your pepper spray well. When your attacker is near, you can pretend to be re-doing your make-up before spraying him or her with pepper spray. The pepper spray lipstick tube can be purchased here.

University Housewares is selling a Nebo Windup Flashlight that requires no batteries or bulbs at any time. After winding up the light for one minute, you will get one hour of bright light with three super bright leds. This flashlight could be especially useful in power outages, sketchy situations or in the middle of the night. Purchase it online here.

The Door Guard Alarm for College Students from DormSmart is another great tool to stay safe while in your accommodations overseas. The alarm is simply hung on your door and when it detects a vibration, it will sound off a 98dB alert for 20-30 seconds to alert you of an intruder. The alarm resets in 3-5 seconds. This alarm is portable and can be used anywhere with 2 AAA batteries. It can be found at DormSmart’s website.

This Desktop PC & Peripherals Lock Kit from Kensington features a 8 foot high-carbon steel cable, anchor plate and Kensington keyed lock. The locking kit secures a desktop computer, two peripherals and a wired keyboard and mouse. The kit includes 2 adapters to secure any device with a Kensington Security Slot and a pick resistant Kensington lock, with two keys. Custom keying options are available. For laptop users, this Skilcraft Laptop Security Lock is another great way to keep your computer safe.

See more StaySafe picks from ClearCause here. Protect and inform America’s next generation about safety risks before they go abroad!

A Valuable Resource in Safe Study Abroad – The College Alert Center

S. Daniel Carter of Virginia Tech Family Crisis Foundation introduced ClearCause to a valuable resource: the College Alert Center, a company offering a safe, secure and easy to use service that employs the latest technology to provide critical information that may compress the time between loss and hopeful recovery of a missing student.

How does it work? Parents register their student’s information and photograph with the company. The College Alert Center is able to send a “Missing Student” message up to 20,000 text links per minute of a mini-poster to their entire mobile network and campus security when a student is missing. These messages can be sent to the entire student population of a college. “By distributing this information quickly in mass numbers we greatly increase the chances of recovery of the student,” College Alert Center’s website says.

Horrifically, missing students often are unreported until tragedy hits. The College Alert Center works to make sure these missing students are found before something worse happens to them. The service is only $15 per year per student to use, keeping our best and brightest safe as they pursue their education.

The College Alert Center’s call center is always available and has over 100 customer support personnel to assist callers. Parents are able to create a “buddy list” of immediate friends or relatives of the student to help locate their missing child quickly. The company also has a database of law enforcement, news media and other personnel to help locate students quickly. Text messages are sent to networks of customers within the 150-mile radius when a student is missing for two hours so the local community can help locate  the missing student. 

This service can help save lives. Visit The College Alert Center to use this valuable resource and keep your students safe! 

LGBT Safety During Study Abroad?

A recent CBS news article discusses the safety concerns many LGBT students have about studying abroad. Marc Caporiccio, an openly gay Canadian graduate student, worried about his safety when he traveled to South Africa with a group of university students, the article reported. "The question on the top of my mind is, “Am I being me abroad?" he said, as reported CBS.

Brita Doyle, a study abroad adviser at American University and co-chair of the International Association of Educators Rainbow Group, said, “LGBT students have many of the same concerns most students have in traveling to a different country. But, then they also might have some extra concerns [such as] whether or not there are different laws in a country pertaining to them as an LGBT individual," Doyle said, CBS reported. Caporiccio said many LGBT students have to deal with safety concerns on their own.

How can we change this? Advisors have approached Doyle to get advice on how to support LGBT students who study abroad. She recommends addressing LGBT issues with all students and incorporating queer concerns into general information sessions.

The University of British Columbia’s Go Global program is an example of a supportive LGBT program, as it makes LGBT information available to students through different formats and has students fill out questionnaires about their host country after they return home. This can help prospective study abroad students decide what country they’d like to travel to based on other students’ reviews.

"Having supports available, having resources available, knowledgeable staff available — it all is imperative for students' success abroad,” said Caporiccio, CBS reported.

Applaud to University of Nebraska-Lincoln for Protecting Students - No Travel to Countries with USDOS Travel Warnings – Study Abroad Safel

The U.S. Department of State has put travel warnings on eleven Middle Eastern countries due to unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime of violence or frequent terrorist attacks. Now, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is actively working to protect their students who decide to study abroad from these threats.

“As of Oct. 1, UNL students traveling abroad in any association with the university must be part of a program administered by university-sponsored Education Abroad,” a Daily Nebrasakan article reported.

University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken has stated no travel abroad program supported by the university will travel to countries with travel warnings.

This does not mean that students can’t travel abroad with third party programs into countries with USDOS travel warning.  Some professors and colleges within universities take students abroad on programs not associated with the university’s study abroad office. ClearCause would love to see more universities with safety controls tied to ‘credits’ associated to the university’s students.

This policy puts multiple countries out of bounds for UNL students, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and Sudan. All of the above countries are under travel warnings from the U.S. Department of State. Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates remain acceptable Education Abroad destinations, the article reported.

UNL students can only travel to countries with travel warnings if they are able to obtain a waiver with university approval. Read the full article here.

ClearCause believes more universities should adopt this policy so that students don’t lose their lives to reckless actions and inexperienced, under-prepared professors or third party study abroad programs. See Current Travel Warnings here.

Costa Rica appeals court orders new trial for security guard who killed U.S. teen

16-year-old Justin Johnson was tragically killed by a hotel security guard while he was studying abroad in Costa Rica in June 2011 (read his story here.) The security guard, Jorge Guervara, has recently won the right to a new trial even though the criminal court last fall issued him a 15-year prison sentence and a $650,000 fine, reported the Tico Times.

‘A Sentencing Appeals Court in San Ramón, Alajuela, northwest of the capital, ruled in favor of an appeal filed by Guevara’s attorney that claimed “the original trial court did not establish Guevara’s intent to kill Johnston,”’ the article reported.

"The court's ruling overturned the previous sentence and now a new trial is scheduled for September 16-27," judicial branch spokeswoman Teresita Arana said.

Jorge Guervara stated at the trial that he fired a warning shot before firing again at the teenagers who were running into the hotel. The second shot fatally wounded Justin. According to Justin’s parents, Justin’s classmate who was with him at the time of his injury said that there was no warning shot.

“Devastating, we received the news of Guevara being granted a new trial from the appeals court on Justin’s birthday. We were actually at the cemetery,” John Johnston, Justin's father, told a local Fox News affiliate in McLouth, Kansas, as reported by the article. “It’s possible that pressure measures related to the death of our son could be portrayed negatively related to the tourism within Costa Rica,” he said. “We’re very concerned that the process may not be above board.”

Justin’s family told Fox News that they have spent more than $100,000 on both U.S. and Costa Rican attorneys. They now must return to Costa Rica next month to participate in the new trial over their son’s death. “The cost of justice won’t deter us,” Justin’s mother Wendi said.

His parents stated that before the first trial occurred, the witness statements were mistranslated and they were asked to sign documents that misstated the facts in order to have their son’s body return to the U.S.

“From the very start, we’ve been very concerned about what is happening within the country to allow things to be fair,” John Johnston said.

Read the full article here.

Father of Casey Shulman, University of Virginia Student, Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Semester At Sea

University of Virginia student Casey Schulman was killed while studying abroad with Semester at Sea last year. Her father, David Schulman, is now suing over her death, an article from The Daily Progress reported.

“The lawsuit, filed this month in federal court in Miami by David Schulman, the father of Casey Schulman, alleges negligence by the Semester at Sea program, sponsored by University of Virginia, and several others, seeking funeral expenses and compensatory damages,” the article reported.

Casey was only 22 years old with a bright and promising future ahead of her. She was snorkeling close to Mero Beach near Roseau, Dominica, when a small dive boat backed over her, killing her instantly. More than six months later, Dominican authorities charged Andrew Armour, the boat’s captain, with manslaughter.

ClearCause Founder Sheryl Hill was quoted in a USA Today article highlighting Casey’s tragic story and many dangers of studying abroad. Sheryl believes the study abroad industry should be required to report their safety record publicly. "Students and families have every right to know the safety record of the program they're entrusting their future and their life to," Sheryl said.  “Most come back safe is not good enough.”

University of Virginia has been the academic sponsor of Semester at Sea since 2006, a study abroad program taking students around the world on a 590-foot ship. A University of Virginia spokesperson said, “Casey’s trip was organized by students outside of Semester at Sea and was not a Semester at Sea event.”

In 1996, A Semester at Sea bus crash tragically killed four Semester at Sea students, Jenna Druck, Sara Schewe, Virginia Amoto and Cherese Laulhere.  A wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of those young lives resulted in punitive damages and criminal negligence.  Semester at Sea has been banned from ports because of rowdiness and has come under scrutiny for being a ‘four month bender’.

J-Term Study Abroad Students – Get Immunizations to Stay Safe!

Planning on going abroad for J-Term 2014? It’s time to visit the travel clinic.

Shots aren’t fun.  We know that.  We also know one of the biggest buzz kills for study abroad is preventable, unexpected illness.  Vaccinations are as important as trip insurance. Taking precautions for your study abroad experience can kick buzz kill’s butt!

All students going on J-Term study abroad trips need to get to travel clinics for TRAVAX health reports to be informed on risks and undergo preventative healthcare wellness checks! TRAVAX is maintained and updated by the Travel and International Health Team of Health Protection Scotland (HPS). It is provided as an NHS resource for health care professionals who advise travelers about health risks, avoiding illness and staying healthy abroad.

In our state, Minnesota Health Partners Tropical & Travel Medical Center  is one resource to help you prepare for your trip to a foreign country, no matter where you go. Experts here can provide you with knowledge, immunizations and the medications that you need to stay safe. Services include personalized pre-travel counseling, immunizations, physical exams and/or lab tests, recommendations for preventing travel related illnesses, World Health Organization (WHO) booklets verifying Yellow Fever immunizations and education materials on your destination’s food, water, insect, weather, politic and general safety.

You will need 2-3 months of preparation time because certain vaccinations come in a series and need time to build up your immune system.

Now that you’re wellness check is set, GET INSURED!  It can cost more than $50,000 to get you home if you are incapacitated.

Don’t let a buzz kill take you out of the game.  Travel Clinic – StuCard – ASAPP checklist.  Go abroad, stay safe!

Family Who Lost Their Son Work for Justice

Danielle and Eric Eiler’s son Travis was killed while he was on an overseas trip with Campus Crusade for Christ in the closed country of Kazakhstan in December 2011.

Today, Danielle and Eric are still searching for justice in honor of their son.  Danielle and Eric have conducted much research and investigation into Travis’ death, and recently wrote to Hal Peters, Policy Analyst in the office of South Carolina Governor Nikki R. Haley for his help. See his reply below.

September 11, 2013

Dear Mr. Eiler,

Thank you for your recent correspondence to Governor Haley concerning federal oversight of study abroad programs.  It is encouraging that citizens are taking an active role in their government and Governor Haley values receiving feedback from citizens like you.

While the Governor keeps track of a number of federal issues, we have reviewed your correspondenceand have determined the South Carolina Congressional Delegation would be of greater assistance. You may follow-up with the Delegation Members by using the attached contact info.

Thank you again for your correspondence and your interest in South Carolina’s government.

Sincerely,

Hal Peters

Policy Analyst

Office of Governor Nikki R. Haley

SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

The Honorable Lindsey Graham, Senator

290 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Website: www.lgraham.senate.gov

Phone: 202.224.5972

The Honorable Tim Scott, Senator

167 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Website: www.scott.senate.gov

Phone: 202.224.6121

The Honorable Mark Sanford, Representative, 1st District

322 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.sanford.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.3176

The Honorable Joe Wilson, Representative, 2nd District

2229 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington D.C. 20515

Website: www.joewilson.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.2452

The Honorable Jeff Duncan, Representative, 3rd District

116 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.jeffduncan.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.5301

The Honorable Trey Gowdy, Representative, 4th District

1404 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.gowdy.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.6030

The Honorable Mick Mulvaney, Representative, 5th District

1207 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.mulvaney.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.5501

The Honorable James E. Clyburn, Representative, 6th District

242 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.clyburn.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.3315

The Honorable Tom Rice, Representative, 7th District

325 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Website: www.rice.house.gov

Phone: 202.225.9895

Are You A ClearCause Champion?

Every Cause needs a Champion.  Will you be a Champion for our ClearCause?

NO ONE KNOWS that laws that protect youth and students on American campuses are nonexistent when programs escort our kids into foreign countries.  Help us reach as many people as possible and to inform, protect, and save youth and student lives.

We have created a volunteer program called Champions. These volunteers believe in our mission, “Zero Preventable Youth & Student Deaths & Injuries in an Industry Held to the Highest Standards.”

We promise you’ll learn a few cool social media tricks when you agree to take a comprehensive ClearCause training program developed by Remotely Smart.

Commit a small amount of time each month to support ClearCause, as a Champion.  We will deliver some compelling and fun social media messages for people in your community.

You value safe global youth and student travel. Championing our ClearCause encourages downloads of our ASAPP free checklist.  Be one of the first to learn about our SOS Ap.  Get deals on trip insurance and late breaking news while you help us raise money to grow and expand our reach and good work.  We want every youth and student to know how to advocate for themselves abroad.

Our Champion program begins on October 20, 2013.  We have planned a five week build-up for Give to the Max Day on November 14, 2013.  Each week you will copy, paste and share our most important messages on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.  We’d love to see you share your personal stories and why you care, too!

Our ClearCause Champions will be asked to post 1-3 messages a week and retweet or repost information from various ClearCause social media. Our ClearCause Social Media Manager - Kacie Griffith, Blogger - Nicola Losik, and video producers - TCA Media,  The Reporters Inc. and Shadow Fox Media will have some engaging and compelling content.

This is a NEW program.  We hope you to enjoy the journey and engage to make a positive difference with just a few moments of time.  We will provide some fun recognition for our outstanding Champions.  To become a champion, please email Champion@ClearCauseFoundation.org

Safety means the world to America’s most valuable treasures, our sons and daughters, on programs abroad. They are our future.  Safety is not an accident.

Thank You!