International Emergency Procedures for GVSU Travelers

In an international emergency, knowing who to call is critical. GVSU has two primary 24/7 emergency contacts to assist you while abroad, with further context provided below.

• International SOS: (215) 942-8478
• GVSU Campus Police (616) 331-3255

Following contact with one of these groups, we ask that the caller fill out our international incident reporting form. The purpose of this form is to provide a structured way to document and report any health, safety, or security-related incidents that may occur while a person is traveling on GVSU affiliated travel. 

NOTE FOR Emergency Medical Care Abroad - RISK TO LIFE, LIMB, OR EYE: Go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room. Call an ambulance if necessary (Here is a list of "911" equivalent  numbers. We strongly recommend you add the number to your phone in advance). Following this, you can contact your local provider/ISOS/GVSU, using the contact information provided below. 

For Sickness and Accident-Related Incidents:

International SOS: (215) 942-8478

• Call ISOS as soon as possible for urgent or same-day assistance related to health or medical issues.
• ISOS can help arrange medical transportation and care, provide advice on health and safety, and assist with lost documents or legal questions
• Upon calling, identify yourself as a GVSU international traveler, state the country you're in, and briefly explain the situation.

For All Other Incidents:

24 Hour Contact:

GVSU Campus Police (616) 331-3255

Call this line for all other incidents that need a response within 24 hours.

• This includes situations such as:
  • Death or missing traveler
  • Student conduct issues
  • Loss or theft of passport
  • Sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct
• Identify yourself as a GVSU international traveler, state the country you're in, and briefly explain the situation.

The following information will be helpful when gathering information about a critical incident:

• Name of person reporting the incident
• City, and country of where the incident took place
• Name and location of the study abroad program
• Student(s) names involved in the incident
• Date & time of occurrence/current condition 
• Description of situation/incident
• Action taken thus far
• Action requested of Officer (if appropriate)
• Contact information of the person calling
  • When you call the GVSU 24/7 International Emergency Line you'll be directly connected with the GVSU Department of Public Safety. They'll triage the call and contact PIC. 
  • The International Emergency Lines are staffed by mandatory reporters. Learn more about sexual misconduct abroad.

Other Important Information

• Reporting Your Status: In the event of a major security incident in your area, please send an email to [email protected] to let GVSU know you are safe. PIC will also reach out to potentially affected travelers to inquire about your well-being.
• Emergency Contacts: PIC may contact your domestic emergency contact if you are missing, unable to speak for yourself, are perceived to be a danger to yourself or to others, or in an area that was impacted by a significant incident.
• U.S. Embassy Support: Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found at www.usembassy.gov/.