AWG College & University Health, Safety & Security Seminar in Israel

The OSAC Academia Working Group (AWG) held its annual College & University Health, Safety & Security Seminar on October 14-15, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel, its first in an international location. Attended by more than 60 college and university security personnel and administrators, this highly anticipated event furthered the AWG’s goals to collaborate, network, and benchmark on safety, security, and health issues in higher education institutional travel abroad.

The AWG, one of OSAC’s Sector-specific working groups, was founded in 2006. Today, its robust membership includes 309 members representing 203 institutions and organizations. Each year, the AWG hosts two College and University Health, Safety, and Security Seminars to bring higher education study abroad and risk management professionals as well as international health, safety, and security managers to share operational best practices for college and university travelers.

“In our line of work, there are no easy solutions or quick answers. The strength and value of our OSAC AWG network comes not from expert colleagues who can provide a clear answer to every question, but from those that share their insights and approaches as they grapple with similar issues. In the process, this strengthens [our members’] ability to determine the right approach for [their] institution.” – Marcia W. Henisz, AWG Chair and Senior Director of International Health, Safety and Security Drexel University

The two-day event, which was held at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute and the BYU Jerusalem Center, included cultural tours of Israel, musical performances, and site visits of Hebrew University, Ben Gurion University and Tel Aviv University.  AWG members also provided a special presentation on their work at the October 18 Tel Aviv Country Council meeting, which allowed for increased information-sharing and networking between OSAC’s global and country partners.

PHOTO GALLERY

SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS

Opening Remarks, October 14

• Eran Hayet, Executive Director, BYU Jerusalem Center
• Leslie Tsou, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Jerusalem

OSAC for Academia

• Shari-Ann Peart, Program Officer

Universities in Jerusalem: Academic Perspectives

• Moderator: Kalpen Trivedi, Associate Provost for International Programs, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Rebecca Granato, Dean of Academic Outreach, Al-Quds Bard College of Arts and Sciences
• Jonathan Kaplan, Vice-Provost, Rothberg International School (RIS), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Managing High Risk Travel with Review Committees

• Moderator: Marcia Henisz, Senior Director of International Health, Safety and Security, Drexel University
• Patrick Morgan, Senior Advisor for International Health, Safety and Security, University of Michigan
• Ben Levy, Director of International Education, Ramapo College of New Jersey
• Robin Reliford, Director of Health and Safety – Higher Ed, WorldStrides ISA
• Tristan Tafolla, Director of International Risk Management, Columbia University

Keynote Speaker

• Joe Federman, Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Associated Press

Government Security Panel

• Moderator: Tristan Tafolla, Director of International Risk Management, Columbia University
• Paul Fiffick, Regional Security Officer, Jerusalem
• Hartaje “Teji” K. Thiara, Regional Security Officer, Tel Aviv

Jerusalem Landscape

• Andy Skinner, Jerusalem Center Associate Director for Academics, BYU Jerusalem Center

Perspectives on Student Life

• Moderator: Andrea Bordeau, Global Safety and Security Manager, Vanderbilt University
• Jaguar Ashtiani, Northeastern University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Faith Gay, American University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Adrian Lore, University of Notre Dame

Closing Remarks, October 14

• Patrick Morgan, AWG Co-Chair, Senior Advisor for International Health, Safety and Security University of Michigan

Opening Remarks, October 15

• Benjy Livneh, Noble Energy, Tel Aviv Country Council Chair

University Security Specialists

• Moderator: Phillip VanSaun, Director of Risk, Security and Resilience, University of California
• Tawfic Alawi, Jerusalem Center Associate Director for Administration, BYU Jerusalem Center
• Yoav Attias, Director of Security and Emergency Division, Hebrew University

Making It Stick – Developing and Delivering Effective Table-Top Exercises

• Ryan DeStefano, Vice President of Security, OnCall International
• Phillip VanSaun, Director of Risk, Security and Resilience, University of California

Closing Remarks

• Kalpen Trivedi, Associate Provost for International Programs, University of Massachusetts Amherst PM

THANK YOU TO SPONSORS AND SPEAKERS

Thank you to the Tantur Ecumenical Institute and the BYU Jerusalem Center for hosting the events, to the AWG Executive Committee and program planning group for planning and organizing the AWG’s first international event since 2012, and to the talented Research and Information Support Center (RISC) staff from OSAC.

We especially are grateful to our generous sponsors: Silver Sponsor On Call International; and Bronze Sponsors Cultural Insurance Services International, Inc., Drexel University, International SOS, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Thank you also to donors: Drum Cussac, Inc. and KeynectUp.

Thank you to Brigham Young University, University of Notre Dame, and the University of Pennsylvania for their generous in-kind donations.

Interested in sponsoring an OSAC event? Learn more or contact Peggy O’Neill, ISF Executive Director.