IU does not plan to release spring break advisory

More than 100,000 college-aged students flock to Mexico each year for spring break. But this season, the U.S. Department of State is issuing an advisory about dangerous social conditions there.

The State Department warns travelers of an escalated level of violence, particularly near the U.S. border, in response to government efforts to curb drug trafficking.

While the University has received concerned messages from parents of students traveling to Mexico, IU will not issue a travel warning of its own.
 
University spokesman Larry MacIntyre said information about the advisory has been publicized nationally and students are most likely aware of the information, adding that IU students are not likely to vacation near borders.

Universities that have issued warnings are located in regions where students are more likely to visit the border, he said.

“It is clear that the State Department advisory has been widely circulated in the media and we suspect that every student going to Mexico is aware,” MacIntyre said.

MacIntyre also said students traveling to Mexico have probably chosen to do so despite warnings from State Department.

It is not likely that a secondary advisory from the University will sway travel plans.
“It is fair to say that if we thought we could do any good, we would issue an advisory,” MacIntyre said.

Dean of Students Dick McKaig said he agrees students will ultimately make their own decisions about travel plans and vacation destinations.

Students should be informed about the advisory, but the University might not be a source students listen to for travel advice, McKaig said.

Though McKaig said he received phone calls from parents curious about IU’s plan to advise students, he said students are not necessarily going to listen to University advice.

“I know that students I talked with were not planning Mexico trips anyway,” McKaig said.

Ben Troutman, a senior traveling to Mexico for spring break, said he is aware of the warnings issued by the State Department but plans to continue his travel plans.

Troutman said he heard about the advisory from written media and television, and he is aware the issue is most prevalent around the bordering states.

Troutman agreed with McKaig when he said an advisory from the University would be a good idea, but not effective enough to persuade students to change travel plans.
Troutman said he is not ignoring the warnings from the State Department, and travelers need to be cautious any time they are leaving the country.

“As long as my friends and I don’t do anything ridiculous and foolish,” Troutman said, “I think we will be OK.”

Although IU decided not to issue a formal advisory to students, the IU Panhellenic
Association and the Interfraternity Council distributed warnings to members of the greek community.

Katie Wickham, junior and vice president of communications for the Panhellenic Association, said members of the council want students to be safe wherever they choose to travel for break. She said the warnings are important for educating students about safe travels over spring break.

“We want our members to make safe choices while out and about,” Wickham said. “I think it is more about educating students about what is going on.”