All University-sponsored domestic travel must be reviewed and approved by the relevant Major Administrative Unit.
Individuals with essential domestic travel may apply for a travel waiver. For some MSU employees, domestic travel is a regular part of their job responsibilities; therefore, blanket domestic travel waivers are possible.
Major Administrative Units (MAUs) are responsible for reviewing waiver requests and determining if travel may proceed. MAUs must consider the essential nature of the travel and whether remote alternatives are possible. MAUs must also consider whether the proposed travel meets minimum health and safety measures.
A domestic travel waiver form is available for download below. A single waiver may be submitted for group travel if all travelers have the same travel details.
Completed waivers should be submitted to the appropriate unit administrator. College Deans/unit administrators are responsible for determining who has approval authority within their unit.
This procedure applies to all students, faculty, and staff. All travelers should carefully review COVID-19 Travel Health Resources before submitting a waiver.
For MSU faculty and staff who reside internationally, MSU’s international travel review process applies for any travel taking place from the country of residence to another country (except the United States). MSU’s domestic travel review process applies for any travel taking place within the country of residence. In both cases, the most stringent health and safety requirements (MSU and U.S. versus country of residence and country of destination) will prevail. For any travel to campus, MSU’s inbound health protocols apply.
For any travel that will entail human subjects research that is conducted internationally but doesn’t entail MSU international travel, the Human Research Plan for a Safe Return will be reviewed after obtaining Major Administrative Unit (MAU) determination of essential and before final MAU approval. For more information on the human subjects research, please review the MSU Human Research Protection Program's COVID-19 webpage.
Submit this travel waiver form to the relevant MAU administrator at least three weeks before your intended departure date.
When evaluating domestic travel waiver requests, Major Administrative Units (MAUs) must evaluate whether the travel plans meet the minimum health and safety measures described below. We do not recommend approving any waivers that can't satisfy the relevant minimum standards.
Travelers and MAUs are also encouraged to use these additional travel health and safety resources.
MAUs are responsible for evaluating what they consider essential travel according to programmatic priorities and budgetary implications. Remote alternatives should be considered first.
Below is a list of examples of the kinds of activities that could be considered essential travel. This is not an exhaustive list but is intended as guidance.
Faculty and staff
Graduate and professional students
Undergraduate students
Student groups
Travelers should assess their suitability for travel by reviewing public health guidance, reviewing COVID-19 spread at destination (travel to "orange" and "red" states is strongly discouraged), and discussing travel plans with their primary care physician.
Traveler must complete health screening before they arrive at their work location and then each subsequent day of travel if applicable.
Please follow the guidance below when returning to work from essential, approved domestic travel. Do not travel to campus or your regular worksite if you feel sick.
More university guidance for faculty and staff.
Traveler must complete Spartan Health Screening before return to campus or regular worksite.
Follow MSU's health protocol for incoming domestic travelers. Then, complete the Spartan Health Screening before returning to your regular worksite.
Follow local public health guidelines (state and local). At a minimum, traveler must complete Spartan Health Screening before return to their MSU worksite.
(you are welcome to download this PDF as a reference tool, but please check this website frequently as new guidance may be published)