In an Emergency

Grinnell College programs, such as course-embedded travel, Global Learning programs and the third-party providers of approved off-campus study programs, have emergency action plans that guide them through emergency situations.  In case of an emergency beyond the competence or jurisdiction of the College faculty/staff or the authorities of the hosting institution, or an emergency that occurs while the student is away from the program site, students should contact their nearest U.S. or home country's consulate/embassy. Students can also receive assistance through Grinnell College Campus Security at 641-269-4600 or security@grinnell.edu; available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

If the family of an American traveler needs to reach the traveler because of an emergency at home or because family members are worried about the traveller’s welfare the State Department will relay a message to the consular officers in the country in which the traveller is, and the consular officers will try to locate the traveller, pass on urgent messages, and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back to the inquiring family. Call 1-888-407-4747.  

To contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the U.S. call 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Participants and their families need to be aware of the fact that the U.S. Department of State Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management will generally not release information about specific individuals to Grinnell College or to other third parties.