With this step, the university is putting the US on the same level as Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia. The new travel guidelines include a step-by-step plan for when you travel. First, check whether your destination is a high-risk country. If it is, proceed to a special ‘checklist+’.

This contains more information for staff about taking loan equipment with you and not bringing other TU/e equipment. It also says, among other things, that you shouldn’t use public Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but a VPN. And it’s important to bring your own cables and not plug your devices into unfamiliar USB ports, as these may have been tampered with. For the same reason, you should never use someone else’s USB stick in your laptop.

Want to print something? That’s not a good idea in a high-risk country either, because you’ll have to connect to the printer and therefore to the network. TU/e also advises against sharing your trip on social media and recommends turning off your devices when you’re having a confidential conversation. All of this is intended to minimize the risk of espionage.

Social safety

Ivo Jongsma, spokesperson for TU/e, says that the reason for placing the US on the same list as Iran and North Korea is related to concerns about social safety. "Iran, China, North Korea and Russia are high-risk countries based on their activities in the field of gathering information secretly, sabotage and global sanctions. We have now added the US because of the possible risk with regard to the social safety of our researchers. This is due to reports that European scientists have been stopped at the border because of their negative statements about Trump. The current policy of the American government to reduce diversity also plays a role, as does the way universities like Harvard are treated."

Students

The travel guidelines focus on staff and their business trips, but Education and Student Affairs (ESA) will also send emails to students who are planning to go to the US for their experience abroad. The email will contain information about developments in the US and TU/e’s recommendations in the matter.

Students who are involved in research and therefore have research data on their laptop must contact the leader of their research project before traveling.

Color-coded travel advice

The ‘checklist+’ also applies to destinations with an orange or red travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you’re traveling to a green or yellow destination, the regular checklist that you will find in the travel guidelines applies. The differences between the two checklists mainly concern loan equipment and the use of networks.

The new guidelines are effective immediately.