Bill Overview
Title: Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act
Description: This bill (1) applies campus-security reporting requirements to study-abroad programs of institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs, and (2) requires such institutions to implement specified policies to protect students participating in study-abroad programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Target Audience
Population: Students participating in study-abroad programs
Estimated Size: 341000
- The primary individuals affected are students participating in study-abroad programs.
- Study-abroad programs associated with institutions participating in federal student-aid programs are covered, increasing the reach of this bill to numerous students involved in such programs.
- Campus-security reporting requirements will now be extended to apply internationally where study-abroad programs occur.
- Institutions of higher education globally that have study-abroad programs connected to U.S. students will be impacted.
- Policies required by the bill will influence both U.S. and international partnering institutions offering study-abroad opportunities.
Reasoning
- The policy predominantly affects students who are studying abroad as part of their higher education in the U.S. These students are covered under the federal student-aid funded programs, thereby broadening the scope of the policy's impact globally as well as locally.
- The impact is indirect on institutions implementing the policy, but directly protective for students, thus improving their perceived safety and wellbeing while studying abroad.
- Budget constraints suggest focusing on high-impact changes in the most frequented and potentially risky study-abroad locations, improving overall security protocols affordably.
- Since there are approximately 341,000 U.S. students within the target demographic, the budget must be allocated efficiently to provide meaningful improvements in safety and wellbeing measures across a large number of students.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (New York)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great there will be more oversight on safety. It's a big concern for me and my family.
- With better security reports, I feel more confident traveling and immersing myself in my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Exchange Student Facilitator (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased security measures are necessary, especially in countries with different safety standards.
- I am concerned about the administrative workload, but the student safety is a higher priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Texas)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would've made a huge difference to my peace of mind during my own study abroad.
- Knowing students will be better protected makes me support this policy strongly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Academic Advisor (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Implementing these policies requires resource allocation, but the safety aspect is vital.
- Students feel safer when security issues are taken seriously and documented.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Undergraduate Student (Washington D.C.)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having mandatory safety reports will definitely reassure my family and myself when I'm abroad.
- It's an essential step to ensure all-rounded student protection. I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Florida)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a bit stressful knowing I'm in a place where safety protocols are lax.
- This bill offers some peace of mind, knowing there'll be official oversight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Administrator (New Jersey)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concern over balancing costs with effective implementation of said policies.
- Students' safety is a priority, but it must be managed efficiently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm less worried about day-to-day safety since the university is recognized for its high standards.
- However, knowing there'll now be regulated reporting makes me feel even safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Study-Abroad Program Coordinator (Virginia)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Aligning all participating institutions under these guidelines can be challenging, but it's essential for these programs.
- The long-term benefits outweigh the initial implementation challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
High School Senior (Ohio)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm considering universities partially based on their study-abroad options and safety.
- Knowing there's a safety standard makes my decision easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $72000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $24000000, High: $36000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- There could be logistical challenges in implementing the required safety and reporting policies, particularly across international borders.
- The policy's impact will vary greatly depending on the size and existing infrastructure of each affected institution.
- Tracking compliance and effectiveness of the policies will be key for assessing long-term impacts.